The ATP 500 tournament in Vienna kicks off on Monday afternoon with teenager Jakub Mensik taking on No. 8 seed Alexei Popyrin. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina battles Flavio Cobolli for a place in the round of 16.
(8) Alexei Popyrin vs. (Q) Jakub Mensik
The promising Czechia teen Jakub Mensik was forced to qualify this week, but it’s likely to be one of the last times. Mensik is teetering on the edge of a big breakthrough; in fact, he came close earlier this month in Shanghai. The world No. 51 made the quarterfinals, where he lost in three sets to eventual finalist Novak Djokovic. He also posted wins over Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov, both in the top 10. So what does that mean? Well, it’s rotten luck for No. 8 seed Alexei Popyrin. First, Mensik is playing far better than his ranking and second, since Mensik had to qualify he has had time to get used to the courts.
Popyrin has enjoyed his own renaissance in the second half of the season. Thanks to his title at the Montreal Masters and his run to the round of 16 at the U.S. Open, he sits at a career high of No. 24. The Aussie’s post-U.S. Open results have been lackluster and he comes into Vienna with just one win from his participation on the Asian swing. Popyrin is going to be vulnerable in this match. Mensik is playing better tennis right now and he will have extra motivation to get his ranking up so he won’t be forced to qualify at any tournaments in the future.
Cheryl pick: Mensik in 3
Ricky pick: Mensik in 2
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. Flavio Cobolli
Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina hasn’t had a great season. He is 17-20 this year with no titles and two match wins in his last four events. Flavio Cobolli would generally be considered a favorable first-round opponent, but given Davidovich Fokina’s form and the fact that the Italian played well during the Asian swing, this is could well be another first-round exit for the Spaniard.
Cobolli is currently ranked a career-high 30th in the world thanks in part to a strong result in Geneva and his run to the final in Washington. This one should not be on anyone’s radar for an upset alert. Davidovich Fokina is ranked 64th and he just hasn’t been convincing for a while. Look for Cobolli to make his way into the second round and a possible clash with No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur.
Cheryl pick: Cobolli in 2
Ricky pick: Cobolli in 2
